You can now experience Aer Lingus’ Business Class as if you were sitting on the actual aircraft with a new Google Maps virtual tour. This marks the launch of the airline’s new and improved Business Class Experience that is being rolled out across its Boeing 757 fleet.

The introduction of fully lie flat seats across Aer Lingus’ Boeing 757 aircraft provides Business Class guests with similar levels of comfort, storage and space to that available on the A330 fleet since last year.

The inaugural flight of the newly-fitted 757 was made in February from Shannon to Boston and a total of additional aircraft will be fitted with the new business class cabins by mid-May.

To capture the unique 360-degree experience, thousands of high-resolution digital images were taken using a specially rigged DSLR camera and carefully stitched together to create a seamless virtual experience.

Declan Kearney, Director of Communications, Aer Lingus said: “We’re delighted to extend our Business Class experience to our Boeing 757 fleet that will cross the Atlantic from both Dublin and Shannon. Using Google maps to create a virtual tour gives everyone a chance to really see inside an Aer Lingus Business Class cabin and get a taste of what it’s like to fly Business Class with Aer Lingus.”

Online users can experience walking up to the plane, climbing the steps and walking through the aisle of the B757 Business Class Cabin.

The virtual tour also features ‘The Revival Lounge’ at Dublin airport which offers Business Class guests arriving into Dublin from North America the opportunity to refresh before departing the airport. The lounge offers a range of facilities upon arrival including premium changing and shower facilities, steam pressing of shirts on request, Wi-Fi, refreshments and a waiting area with TV and newspapers.

Aer Lingus partnered with photographer Oliver Murray to create the virtual tour using Google images. Oliver is also the only Irish recipient of the Annual Google European Awards for trusted partners.

The Aer Lingus Business Class space on board is designed on the concept of four rooms in one. Guests can transform their seat into whatever you want it to be, a place to sleep, work, eat, or simply chill.

Irish supplier Botany Weaving, based in Cork Street in Dublin provided the fabrics for the Business Class cabin including seat covers, carpets and curtains – all beautifully designed in vibrant fibers to reflect Aer Lingus’ Irish weaving heritage.

Sleep

Portadown based Thompson Aero created the full lie-flat seat, the central element of the new business class service. The bespoke full lie-flat seat delivers the possibility of a blissful sleep that will allow guests to arrive at their destination 100% rested and ready to get on with their day. The new seat transforms in to a fully-flat 6’6’’ (2 meters) bed, which is one of the longest in the industry with a seat width of 22’’. The business class cabin has been designed so that 90% of the seats have direct aisle access, giving greater privacy and the ability to get in and out of seats with ease.

WorkS, 2013

The newly refurbished cabin has built in power points with universal sockets and USB power outlets, alongside ample work space. Stowage has been increased to allow for mini tablets to be stored under the personal monitor and laptops can be stored in specially designed stowage space. Special pockets for phones have been created and work lights with a dimming feature are standard on all seats.

Dine

Aer Lingus’ commitment to Irish suppliers is evident across the newly designed business class menu. The new menu features signature dishes from the best Irish restaurants across the four provinces of Ireland. Seasonally driven, the menu will be changed four times yearly using the finest Irish ingredients to guarantee freshness and quality - reflecting a fusion of the best of modern Ireland.

A Pre-dine service is available to customers traveling from John F. Kennedy and Boston airports. The service facilitates those customers who wish to sleep for the duration of the flight meaning that as soon as the seat belt sign goes off, when cruising altitude is reached, the customer can convert their seat into a completely lie-flat bed for sleep.

Relax

Customers can enjoy the very best that in-flight entertainment has to offer on personal multi touch 16’’ high definition monitors. Exclusive to business class guests, additional content will be available, adding 50% more new release movies, and 100% more TV content.